@ambrozia_avl

Etheridge (he/him) is former chef/owner of Ambrozia Bar and Bistro and currently specializes in pop up dinners and catering in Asheville, NC. He relocated to Asheville from New Mexico where he had made a name for himself as a James Beard Award winner for Best American Regional Cookbook, Foods of The Southwest Indian Nations, and nominated for best Chef in the Southwest for his work at his restaurants Ambrozia Café & Wine Bar and Nob Hill Bar & Grill. Sam attended culinary school and worked in South Florida. Sam was born and raised in the South.

@chestnutasheville

Matthew (he/him) grew up in the hilly parts of Northeastern Alabama. Coming from a large cajun family and growing up on a sheep farm fostered his love for cooking, as well as sustainable and local agriculture. Matthew moved to Asheville to pursue a Culinary Arts degree from AB Tech in 2016, and took his first kitchen job as an intern at Chestnut in the summer of 2017. After graduation he and his wife, Jamie, left to go  “backpacking” through Western Europe and gained a lot of insight on international cuisine. He returned to Asheville in 2019.

@meanpiespizza

Mean Pies makes pan pizza using freshly milled whole grains, and local and seasonal ingredients. Our dough is cold fermented, twice baked, and comforting without being heavy. Think of it as focaccia that chose another path. Led by PJ (he/him), the small crew of bread makers and family members currently do monthly pop ups out of OWL Bakery, and special events, while planning expansion options. We try to make the best food we can and try to treat the community well, and hope the rest will figure itself out.

@bkroeyr @curatetapasbar @labodegabycurate

Brittany Kroeyr-Brown (she/her) consults on menus and strategy alongside the Chefs de Cuisine at Cúrate Bar de Tapas and La Bodega by Cúrate, as well as recipe development for Cúrate at Home and special projects and events. She gained culinary and leadership skills in some of the nation’s most celebrated restaurant groups, including Grant Achatz’s The Alinea Group, Daniel Boulud’s Dinex, and Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group.

@abccm_official

Eric Cox (he/him) graduated Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College 1987- Culinary Technology AAS. Chef and General Manager for “The Peasant Restaurants” in Atlanta and Nashville for eight years. Has been Director of Food Services for Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry for the last fifteen years, serving 1200 meals per day to those in need. Through food, I get to change lives and hopefully change the ending to some people’s stories. I’ll never have a better opportunity to help people and make a difference.

@belovedasheville

Amy (she/her) brings her passion for how people power can make the community better.  She founded BeLoved Asheville to be a place where people of all walks of life could come together to create powerful solutions to common struggles and a WNC where everyone thrives. She has spent three decades working on the ground building intersectional community, creating mutual aid networks and creating social change. She holds a Masters degree from Columbia Theological Seminary and is ordained clergy in the Presbyterian Church, USA.

@homeward_bound_wnc

Bellamy (they/them) has lived in the US, Japan, England, and France:  in cabins, dorms, abandoned warehouses, apartments, and on the couches of strangers. They now live in a small homestead in Leicester with their partner, two cats, one dog, ten chickens, and four ducks. They are passionate about generating creative content around social justice issues. Bellamy believes strongly in the possibility of ending homelessness in their community. They have a masters degree in creative writing and hope to finish their dystopian novel before the actual apocalypse.

@ashevillehabitat

Leslie (she/her) is an Asheville native with a Sociology degree from UNCA and a 40+ year career in early education. As the Family & Community Partnerships Program Manager for Community Action Opportunity-Head Start Program, she has extensive experience serving children, families, and community partners. Leslie knows the importance of safe, stable, affordable housing and the transformational effect it can have on families now and for generations to come.

@justeconomicswnc

As a first generation American, Carmen (she/her) was taught the importance of creating and supporting community. She is focused on doing what she can to improve the lives of others. She is an advocate for affordable housing and for better transit here in Asheville. She is currently on the board of the Buncombe Partnership for Children. She started SPOT (Supportive Parents of TransKids), and has an activist art project called More than a Hashtag. She is creating a space for the community to gather monthly called Community Sundays.

@highlandbrewing

Highland Brewing Company was founded in 1994 as Asheville’s original craft brewery. Family-owned with a focus on sustainability, Highland is committed to brewing quality and innovative beers. Highland’s hilltop brewery is home to its Taproom as well as an industrial-chic Event Center and Rooftop bar, both of which are available for private events.

@hillmanbeer

Hillman Beer is a small, family-owned business located in Asheville, NC. With an emphasis on quality beer and a focus on classics and comfort, we hope that our beer and pub atmosphere keep you coming back to Hillman Beer.

@markedtreevineyard

Marked Tree Vineyard is located on the Eastern Continental Divide between Mt. Pisgah and Tryon Peak in Flat Rock, North Carolina, in the AVA Crest of the Blue Ridge, Henderson County. Whether you are sipping wine on the Continental Divide or tasting wines by the ghost house, a marked tree is about finding your path. Marked Tree is a point along the road, a moment to reflect, a marker in life. 

@savorshrub

Kat Savage (she/her) is a WNC native, passionate naturalist & foodie. SAVOR makes NA mixers in an homage to herbal & European traditions of bitters & shrubs. She has been involved in herbalism for 20 years & has her BS in Natural Health. Formerly co-owning & formulating for a respected herb school & tincture company, she has taught about health around the southeast. SAVOR’s mission is to encourage clients to drop in & savor life’s little moments with better bitters.

@devilsfootbrew

Farm-To-Can Craft Soda. We pride ourselves on working with Organic Roots & Fruits to create a healthier, more flavorful non-alcoholic experience for everyone in our communities.

@appalachianmountainbrewery

AMB was dreamt-up and brought to life by founders Nathan Kelischek and Chris Zieber; two cousins who both bring unique skills and passions to the table. Their German heritage, love for our state and passion for the environment and outdoors has helped to form the vision of AMB.  AMB continues to grow and produce high-quality, award-winning Appalachian inspired beer and cider. We continue to grow while focusing on our core beliefs of community, sustainability, and philanthropy. 

@cultivatedcocktailsdistillery

Since 2015, our family distillery has been crafting award-winning spirits and taking them one step further. Cultivated Cocktails blends legacy with innovation, art with science. We age our spirits with care, choice oaks and unique flavors. 

@mountainvalleywater

@brewnaturals

Samara Price is the founder of Brew Naturals, a gourmet elderberry company based out of Western Northern Carolina. Brew Naturals is a farm to table product that focuses on real ingredients, delicious taste and full body wellness. For years, elderberry has been seen just as wellness products, however Samara is committed to making the most delicious elderberry products in the region to showcase their versatility. She is passionate about saving this berry from obscurity by highlighting the culinary creativity it inspires!

@drinksarilla

When you choose Sarilla, you are also making positive change in the world! A fun, healthy and nonalcoholic beverage that is naturally energizing with a base of camellia sinensis tea leaves. We use a whole leaf brewing technology so not only are you getting a great-tasting beverage, but you are also benefiting from the antioxidants, amino acids, omegas and slow-release polyphenol naturally occurring in tea. 

@matchanude

Matcha Nude exists because finding organic, pure matcha that tastes good, is affordable + good for the planet is actually pretty hard to come by. We offer affordable premium grade organic, non-gmo matcha that is ethically sourced from Japan + is packaging in 100% compostable packaging. Our matcha is naturally soft and sweet in flavor and doesn't need additional sweeteners. We are on a mission to show the world the power of this incredible tea + the lifestyle that comes with it.

Carolina Mountain Woodturners (CMW) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, educational Chapter of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). We usually meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month – from 10 AM to 4 PM – at the Folk Art Center, on the historic Blue Ridge Parkway, just South of mile marker 382. We host a woodturning demonstration each month (except November) in the Center’s auditorium. This is a free demonstration, and it’s open to the public. Please join us!

@better_thymes

We are local small business based in Asheville, NC. We started with the simple idea of wanting to take you back to better times. Our focus is delivering quality and consistency in all of our products. Join us on our journey! Our mission is to remind you of the good old times. Sharing great flavors from our kitchen to yours. All crafted with you in mind. We hope you enjoy all we have to offer, and share the experience with others.

@organicgrowersschool

Organic Growers School is the premier provider of practical and affordable organic education in the Southern Appalachians, building a vibrant food & farming community by boosting the success of organic home growers and farmers in our region. Our hands-on training, workshops, conferences, and partnerships inspire, educate, and support people to farm, garden, and live organically.

@botanicalbonesco

We believe that all living creatures are at their best when consuming foods that nourish the mind, body and soul. Our dog treats are made in small batches with nutrient-dense clean ingredients that dogs love + superfoods and adaptogens to promote wellness.